Man About the House

Caught on ITV hub. This film (c.1974) adaptation of the 1970's TV series has a storyline that might be remarkably prescient for the 21st century.

A property developer is buying up the series of Edwardian terraces on Myddleton terrace, one of which Robin Tripp, Chrissy and Jo occupy. Their landlord's being George (Brian Murphy) and Mildred (Yootha Joyce). The right thinking trio mount a petition to halt the development and there the story begins in earnest. I did feel that the storyline somewhat petered out, this was clearly a spin-off from the popular tv series and I'm not sure it was completely pulled off in that regard.

Love the locations and 70's era comedy - which despite the 'prevailing attitudes of its time' shows remarkably strong female characters getting one up on the male protagonists.

Man About the House was an hilarious film and a spin off from a wonderful series. Cleverly written by that great duo Cooke & Mortimer, the humour is ageless and well put across by Richard O'Sullivan and Paula Wilcox whose timing was impeccable. Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy provide excellent foils and watch out for some of the up and coming British starlets cameo-ing in different episodes of the series. The entire cast did extremely well, considering that they had to carry the 'unfortunate' acting ability of Sally Thomsett along with them.

'George and Mildred', another spin off from this movie and series was funnier but lacked the situations. It did, however, show the raw talents of Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy to their fullest.

The entire main cast of the series are involved. The Film could be an extended episode of the series, which is always a plus in my opinion. The series has been shown regularly on Paramount 2 & UK Gold (or Granada Plus)The show always brings a smile to my face and uplifts my spirits. I think this is due to the fact that it takes me back to the simpler happy days of my youth; mind you those 70's fashion styles do make me cringe sometimes. There are some duplication of certain actors in the series. I only noticed them when I watched the repeats en bloc. Norman Eshley (actor) plays a unfaithful husband who dates Chrissy (Paula Wilcox)in one of the early episodes, then turns up as Robins (Richard O'Sullivan) brother in the last series and ends up marrying Chrissy at the end of the series. John Carlin plays Larrys (Doug Fisher) Landlord before Larry moves to the Ropers and then turns up in a later episode as a Barman in the local. I was sorry to hear of the passing of Doug Fisher. He added much to the series as Robins friend a 'Jack the Lad' character.

MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE was a slightly risqué popular sit com with a Jack the lad type sharing a flat with two girls one an intelligent red head and the other a blond bimbo . I was never too keen on the show and thought the two spin offs ROBIN'S NEST and GEORGE & MILDRED were better comedies . The problem I think I had was that it was unsophisticated and this feature film version reflects this . Check out this sample of dialogue:

" The girls have just put a new lock on the door "

" Really "

" Yeah . That's to stop me getting out of their bedroom "

Hmmm I guess feminists won't be queuing to watch this . But to give it some credit it was never a show that claimed to be sophisticated and this film version stays true to its bawdy roots without going overboard . The very vague plot revolves a property developer wanting to buy out the tenants and we are treated to a fairly amusing sequence where the villain has laxatives put into his meal . We're also treated to cameo appearances from very well known comedy faces at the time including Spike Milligan , but the show stopping moment involves the two protagonists from LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR a legendary TV show that is totally despised by the PC brigade for its alleged racism:

" What do you want to drink old friend ? "

" I'll have a white lady "

" Pardon ? "

A sometimes amusing and completely low brow comedy

A film spin off from the hugely popular British situation comedy of the same name, it stars Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy. When a development company tries to buy all the houses in their street, flatmates Robin, Chrissy and Jo decide to help their landlords in staving off the buy out.

The material here is sadly too thin that it wastes what was always a damn fine cast. The sexy spark between Robin and the two girls is still there, and Mildred's (Joyce) sexual frustration with hubby George (Murphy) continues; with an interesting twist added a film's culmination, yet it's all very tired and short on laughs. You know you are trouble when you have to resort to a gastric stomach problem to hang your big laugh sequence on. Still, the cast are always watchable (I have been in love and lust with Wilcox since forever), while small appearances by Arthur Lowe and Spike Milligan are most welcome diversions from the poor screenplay. 5/10